Uzbekistan Targets 54% Share of Green Energy by 2026

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — The Uzbekistan Energy Forum 2026 has opened in Tashkent, bringing together government officials, international energy companies, and experts to discuss key priorities for the development of the energy sector and regional cooperation, organizers said.

The event was attended by Deputy Prime Minister Jamshid Khodjaev, Energy Minister Jurabek Mirzamakhmudov, heads of relevant agencies from CIS countries, and representatives of international companies.

Speaking at the forum, Khodjaev said the development of renewable energy sources remains one of Uzbekistan’s strategic priorities. He noted that the combined capacity of solar and wind power plants in the country has already exceeded 5.5 gigawatts, while including hydropower, the share of renewables in the national energy mix has reached 30%.

Participants placed special emphasis on investment climate issues and financing mechanisms for the energy transition. It was stressed that the development of green energy requires large-scale investment, sustainable support instruments, and transparent conditions for international investors.

Head of ACWA in Uzbekistan John Zaidi said the republic has become one of the company’s most attractive markets outside Saudi Arabia. He said Uzbekistan is demonstrating strong progress in adopting modern technologies and building professional expertise in the energy sector. He also noted that the company aims to support the country’s goal of increasing the share of green energy in its energy mix to 54%.

Forum experts also highlighted global energy trends. Matthew Sagers, Vice President and Head of the Eurasia Energy Research Center at S&P Global, said that despite ongoing decarbonization efforts, oil and gas will remain dominant in global energy consumption in the coming decades. He estimated that around 70% of global energy demand is currently met by traditional hydrocarbons.

In this context, the development of renewable energy in Uzbekistan was viewed by participants as an important tool for diversifying the energy balance and increasing economic resilience.

Saad Al-Kathani, a representative of Vision Invest, emphasized the need to find new sustainable solutions in energy and fuels. He said this is not only about replacing one type of fuel with another, but about forming a fundamentally new sustainable energy system.

President of ACWA Matthew York stressed that a key global trend is the optimization of energy production and consumption processes. He said it is important for countries in the region, including Uzbekistan, to efficiently utilize the potential of new fuels and technologies.

The event also addressed modernization of oil and gas infrastructure. Representatives of Uzbekneftegaz reported large-scale upgrades of seismic data processing equipment. In particular, exploration in five gas-bearing areas of the country is being conducted using modern 3D seismic systems and innovative technologies.

Participants concluded that the development of renewable energy, infrastructure modernization, and expanded international cooperation form the basis for a sustainable transformation of Uzbekistan’s energy sector and the strengthening of its regional position.